Council criticised for considering museum move

The Walsall Leather Museum could be moved to a new location as part of cost-cutting measures proposed by Walsall Council.

Local reports suggest the council may move the museum from its present location on Littleton Street to a new base in the centre of town as part of its draft budget for the 2025/26 financial year, saving the council around £190,000 a year.

The museum has been a historic part of the town since the 19th century and a central part of the leather industry in Walsall. Its current location, which the council is proposing to sell if the move goes ahead, has been billed as Walsall’s last remaining heritage asset by those criticising the plan.

Labour MP for Walsall and Bloxwich, Valerie Vaz, has called the idea “downgrading” for the museum.

“I and my constituents are alarmed at the proposed relocation and closure at the current site of the Leather Museum,” said Vaz, who has written to Arts Minister Chris Bryant about the proposal.

“The Leather Museum is listed as Walsall’s number one attraction on Trip Advisor. It is astonishing that the council are considering downgrading this community asset, which has a creative hub and a café for people to gather,” Vaz added.

“This is yet another example of the Conservative-controlled council forcing through plans without respect for the heritage, history of the borough and local people’s wishes.”

A petition against the move has received almost 1,400 signatures.